Tackling PFAS pollution in water

Marine protection and restoration in the Baltic Sea focused for a long time on eutrophication caused by the excess of nutrients in the sea. In recent years, the pollution caused by hazardous substances has become increasingly significant. In particular, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has been identified as a group of priority contaminants in the Baltic Sea marine environment. PFAS compounds, also known as forever chemicals, are very popular because of their properties: they are repellent to water, oil and dirt and they are very durable under extreme conditions. Hence, they are used in e.g. teflon, gore-tex, cosmetics, construction products, and many more. However, they are harmful for health and the environment and they are extremely persistent and mobile in nature. PFAS compounds also pose a risk to circular economy: the presence of these chemicals in materials and resources such as wastewater, complicates recycling systems. We must act to reduce the emissions of PFAS to the environment. The most effective, yet long-term solution is to ban the use of PFAS in products. However, banning PFAS is a process that will take time, given the widespread use and reliance on these chemicals across industries. While working toward the ban, we must also take immediate steps to address contamination, from cleanup and regulation to rising awareness and fostering transnational cooperation.  

The workshop is organized by the EMPEREST project, funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The project adopts a holistic approach to tackling PFAS pollution, as it works on PFAS monitoring and assessment in the aquatic environment, on PFAS risk identification and mitigation at local level, on wastewater treatment technologies and on awareness-raising.